The Argonaut: Mosaic Sculptor Attaway to Exhibit

NeWork, an exhibit of paintings and sculpture by local artist William Attaway, who contributed to today’s look of Venice Beach when he was commissioned by the City of Los Angeles to design a number of sculpted structures, opens with a reception at noon Saturday, August 13th, at Ocean Front Gallery, 801 Ocean Front Walk #5, Venice.

The exhibit remains on display through Tuesday, September 6th.

In 1999, Attaway completed sculpture and mosaics for the renovation of the historic Venice Ocean Front Walk. He created Dreams Come True, a 25-foot ceramic sculpture inspired by “Los Angeles’s journey to find it’s own identity.”

Dreams Come True is in front of the police drop-in station and children’s play area. Along with this piece, he covered the exterior walls of three public restroom facilities with decorative sculpture that illustrates the running of the grunion, an annual event when millions of fish lay their eggs along the Southern California coastline.

Attaway began working with ceramics, painting and sculpture steadily in 1979.

Throughout his career he has worked with city planners, politicians, corporations and youth and community groups. He has also sought to be active in restoring arts to Los Angeles public schools.

Attaway was commissioned to do his first public installation in 1993 in the City of Pomona. He created three massive ceramic columns surrounded by intricate mosaic seating. The theme of these columns, Past, Present, Future, reflects the rich multicultural heritage of Los Angeles, he says.

Attaway was asked by the United Nations in 1995 to create three installations for the opening ceremonies of the global conference, “Environmental Sustainability.” He painted several fifteen foot panels entitled Recycle, Restore.

He also created the monument Copper Man from refuse material found on the site of the conference. World leaders and officials gathered under his designs to discuss the global environmental future.

In 1996 he helped develop the Venice Clay Works, a nonprofit job training program that teaches ceramic and mosaic skills. Mosaics and murals now cover many Venice schools due to the program. Attaway says he was steadfast in including “at risk youths” in the program.

“We must pass on our skills and knowledge to the children of our community,” says Attaway. “This is the only way to help our people overcome their circumstances and create hope where all hope is lost.”